L'Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle In Time.

L'Engle, Madeleine.  A Wrinkle In Time.  Macmillan/Farrar Strauss  392p  $19.99  

978-0-374-38615-3    2012  ms/hs   E-BN      Graphic novel    

This is a timeless hero’s journey written by a master of young-adult fiction more than 50 years ago, but re-issued in graphic-novel format.  Meg grapples with the sinister bring known only as IT, a force that wants every living thing to “give in” and cease thinking for themselves.  Along with her extraordinary five-year-old brother and friend from school, Meg enlists the help of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which.  They could be seen as guardian angels that guide Meg’s party through danger. In fact, the author alludes to them as winged creatures who work for a higher power.  This graphic-novel rendition of Meg’s story is a book for the ages, with a minor catch -- there are a few mentions of Christianity.  Jesus is mentioned as one who fights against dark forces, and Mrs. Whatsit’s people sing a song about the Lord.  Madeline L’Engle never forces any religion upon her readers, but she does hint at a divine inspiration for Meg’s story.  This new edition takes the classic story into the realm of reluctant-reader material.               

Classics, Science Fiction                                   --Lynn Fisher